Trunk-strap fastener



(No Model.)

W. J. WEBB. TRUNK STRAP FASTENBR.

No. 521,227. Patented June 12, i894.

lilllllllll! vNITED STATES WILLIAM JAMES WEBB, `OF SABINE PASS, TEXAS.

TRUNK-STRAP FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 521,22*?, dated June 12, 1894.

' Application ined December 11, 1893. serial No. 493.352. (No moda.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that LWILLIAM J AMES WEBB, a citlzen of the United States, residing atSabine Pass, 1n the county of Jeferson and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Trunk- Strap Fastener, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to trunk-strap fasteners; and it has for its object to effect certain lmprovements in trunk-strap fasteners whereby a trunk or other piece of baggage can be quicklyvand securely bound with a strap after being locked. I

To this end the main and primary object of the present invention is to construct a cheap and simple fastener1 for straps, to insure. a strong tightening of the same without resorting to the old laborious method of buckling the str ap about the baggage, whilel at the same time the invention also contemplates the employment of a specific arrangement of the strap about the article being bound therewith, in combination with the fastener proper whereby a stronger and more efficient strapplng is effected.

The present invention therefore contemplates the above named and other objects which will suggest themselves to those acquainted with this class of fastening devices, and the same primarily consists in the features of novelty emphasized in the accompanylng drawings and the following description and claims. In the accompanying drawingsz-Figure l 1s a. perspective view of a piece of baggage strapped and fastened in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the fastener in its locked position. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the fastener about to be thrown down in its locked position, after its connection with the strap ends. Fig. t is a detail in perspective of the fastener proper separated from its connections. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional View of one end of the lever fastener.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A represents a piece of baggage, which is illustrated as being avtrunk of the ordinary construction, and such trunk is adapted to be transversely and longitudinally encircled by the separate interlaced straps B and C.

The strap B, is arranged about the trunk transversely in the ordinary manner, and is provided at one end with an ordinary buckle D, which is adapted to be arranged-in a position at the front of the trunk near the lock,

While the other end of the transverse strap B, v

vis connected to the latter strap by a connecting ring or buckle F, attached thereto, While the upper loop end of said longitudinal strap is looped loosely through the ring E, of the other strap as at G, and has connected to such loop end the front strap end H, which, with the buckle end of the transverse strap, forms the two strap ends to be connected and tightened by my improved fastening, -and it will be obvious that by reason of the specific doublestrap arrangement described, the tightening of the front strap ends will cause both of the straps to be tightly stretched about the trunk or baggage, and thereby firmly brace the same and additionally secure the cover or top in position, by relieving the lock thereof.

The free front strap ends of the double straps just described are adapted to be tightened and connected together by means of the lever fastener I. The lever fastener I, is integrally formed of one piece, and preferably of metal to give it the required strength to withstand the strain placed thereon,.and is made in any suitable or desired sizes. The lever fastener I, is provided with a reduced tapered handle portion J, which provides means for conveniently grasping the same, and at the outer extremity of such handle portion terminates in a securing knob K, While the other end of the fastener is reduced and shaped into a bifurcated buckle-hook L. The buckle hook L, comprises the separated hooks M, which are adapted to hook over the free end of the buckle D, andthe slot N, separating said hooks andV providing a space to admit the tongue of the buckle whereby the hook of the lever fastener may freely engage such buckle, in connecting the strap ends together.

At a point intermediate of its ends and in reasonably close proximity to the hook end L, to secure the necessary leverage, the fastener l, is provided with a wedgeshaped opening O, contracted toward the `front side of the fastener and widening out toward the rear side, and this wedge-shaped opening is adapted to receivea loop P, of the front strap end H. In attaching the fastener, the hook end thereof is first connected to the buckle D, of the strap B, and the handle end thereof is then raised in an upright position to bring the opening O,in a position convenient to inserting the strap H, therein. One end of the strap H, is first passed entirely through the opening O, and then back again to form the loop P, and this loop P, is retained and spread out within the opening O, by means of a fastening wedge Q. This fastening wedge Q, is secured to the inner end of an adjusting or set screw R, Working through one side of the fastener and providing means for turning or adjusting the wedge Q, in the opening O. It will be obvious that by turning the Wedge Q, the loop of the strap II, is securely fastened to the lever fastener, and it will also be readily seen that a in, an independent Wedge separately force into the loep P, or other simple expedient may be conveniently substituted for the set screw and turning wedge to effect the fastening of the strap II, to the lever fastener.

After connecting the lever` fastener to the strap ends as described, the same is moved down flat against the front portion of the strap B, and is held locked thereto by means of the loop or ring S, sliding on the strap B, and adapted to be slipped over the handle J, into engagement with the knob K, at the outer extremity thereof.

Changes in the form, proportion andV the minor details of construction maybe resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1.` In a strap fastener, a straight lever having a buckle hook at one end adapted to be connected to the buckle end of astrap, and a tapered opening contracted toward the front side of the lever and adapted to receive a loop of the other strap end, and an adjustable loop spreader mounted for adjustment within said opening and adapted to admit the loop of the strap therearound and to provide for the spreading of the same within the opening to prevent its withdrawal, substantially as set forth.`

2. In a strap fastener, a straight lever having a handle portion terminating at one end in a securing knob, a bifurcated hook at its other end `adapted to be connected to the buckle of a strap, a fastening opening near such blickte hook and adapted to receive a loop of the other strap end, an adjustable wedge adapted to be turned crosswise in the strap loop to spread the same within the fastening opening, and a loop or ring suitably arranged on the strap and adapted to engage the securing knob at one end of the lever, substantially as set forth.

3. In a strap fastener, a straight leverhaving a buckle hook at one end adapted to be connected to the buckle end of a strap, a wedge shaped fastening opening contracted toward the front side 0f the lever and adapt ed te receive a loop of the other strap end, a set screw working in one side of the lever, and a turning Wedge attached to said screw and adapted to work within the fastening opening inside of said loop, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a trunk or other piece of baggage; of a transverse strap eneir cling the baggage transversely and having a loop ring adapted to be arranged at the center and top of the baggage, a longitudinal strap encircling the baggage longitudinally and connected permanently at its ends to the transverse strap at its bottom point of intersection therewith, and adapted to have its upper loop end pass freely and loosely through the top loop ring of the transverse strap, a front end strap attached to said loop end of the longitudinal strap, and a lever fastener adapted to be connected to said front end strap and the front end of the transverse strap, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM JAMES WEBB.

Witnesses:

D. E. MCCALL, W. I. ToWNsEND.

IOO 

